What to do in the garden in March
March marks the true start of the gardening year. Soil begins to warm, daylight hours increase and growth accelerates quickly. You will notice bulbs in full bloom, buds swelling on shrubs and lawns starting to green up. It is a busy, practical month where timing matters.
Expect mixed conditions. Mild, bright days can be followed by sharp frosts, heavy rain or strong winds. Use dry spells wisely for planting and soil preparation, and avoid working on waterlogged ground to prevent compaction. Stay on top of weeds now while they are small and easier to remove.
Pests also become more active as temperatures rise. Greenhouse plants are particularly vulnerable, so monitor regularly and act early. Consistent checks now will prevent larger problems later in the season.
Ornamental garden jobs in March
• Apply a balanced general fertiliser to borders if soil fertility is low.
• Lightly rake lawns in mild conditions to remove moss and debris, avoiding waterlogged turf.
• Remove any dead, diseased or damaged growth from trees and shrubs.
• Finish mulching borders if not completed in autumn.
• Feed roses with a specialist rose fertiliser or well rotted manure and prune out weak shoots.
• Deadhead spring bulbs to direct energy back into the bulb.
• Plant new perennials and summer flowering bulbs.
• Re pot or top dress containers with fresh compost.
• Weed borders regularly before growth accelerates.
• Edge and redefine borders for a clean, structured look.
• Plant bare root or container grown roses.
• Sow hardy annuals directly outdoors in suitable conditions.
• Repair damaged lawn areas by overseeding bare patches.
• Harden off hardy annuals raised under glass before planting out.
• Cut back remaining dead growth from herbaceous perennials and grasses.
• Divide summer flowering perennials such as astrantia, hemerocallis and hosta if not done earlier.
Vegetable garden jobs in March
• Prune gooseberries and red and white currants. Remove deadwood and spur prune side shoots to two or three buds.
• Plant onion and shallot sets in well prepared soil.
• Harvest the last winter crops and compost healthy plant debris.
• Sow aubergines, cucumbers, tomatoes and chillies in a heated propagator, provided you have suitable warm growing conditions to continue their development.
Top products for March gardening
Peat reduced and peat free composts
Choose high quality growing media to support potting on and planting out.
Lawn fertiliser and moss control
Support lawn health and manage moss as growth resumes.
Seed trays and propagation equipment
Strong multi cell trays help raise healthy young plants.
Organic soil conditioners
Composted bark and similar products improve soil structure and moisture retention.
Plant pots
Sturdy pots provide stability and good root development for young plants.
Quality hand tools
Reliable spades and trowels make planting, transplanting and soil preparation more efficient.
Natural pest control
Environmentally responsible pest management supports plant health without harming beneficial insects.
March sets the pace for the season. Stay organised, act promptly and your garden will move confidently into spring.
